I had pixie-length hair from 1999 through 2012, when I went on my first date with G. It was easy, effortless, and heck, I pulled.it.off. I also kept it short for one very simple reason: I have lots of fine hair, and the volume and bounce disappeared when it got any significant length. So, when G asked me to grow it out, it was with much trepidation and a promise to myself that I could cut it off as soon as I had 10 inches to donate.
It's now 2018, and I love my long hair. What I was missing back in 1999 was the right products and the knowledge of how to use them. It's been a process, but a few things have drastically changed the way my hair works (see my post on my signature waves for styling product details). Today, I'm sharing the products and technique that allows me to have healthy, long hair that I wash once a week. I picked up the technique from a click-bait article about french beauty on Facebook (I'm a sucker for anything beauty related & french), but let me tell you, it works! So I'm sharing it here today. Ready? Let's go.
First, you'll need a few products, including not one but two shampoos - a clarifying shampoo and a toning shampoo. Since I'm a fake blondie at the moment, the second one is very important for me. If you don't color your hair, I would encourage you to find a shampoo that supports your hair in a way it lacks (extra moisture, extra volume, etc) and use that as your number two shampoo.
When it comes to a clarifying shampoo, I really love this charcoal one by DryBar. It's not drying, smells amazing, and really works wonders for me. As to a toning shampoo, I love the Purple Shampoo from Joico, and purchase the accompanying conditioner as well. The last two items you'll need are this amazing oil (it softens, makes my hair dry faster, and smells amazing. Best part is I need a drop the size of a dime to do my whole head) and this towel for drying. Don't (please, please, please don't!) use a regular old cotton towel on your hair. It'll damage it like none other - especially while those strands are wet and fragile. Now that we have our product, let's move on to technique!
First, get your hair wet all over, then massage your entire scalp for 3-5 minutes with the clarifying shampoo. The massage is so important! It helps the blood start flowing more in your scalp, which invigorates and helps regenerate. Your scalp should be tingling a bit after your finished. Rinse thoroughly, then lather up with your second shampoo (for me, it's the purple toner). This one should suds up like crazy if the clarifying shampoo did it's job - I feel like my hair grows 5x in volume with all the bubbles! I let this one sit for around 3 minutes while I exfoliate, then rinse it out. Next, apply the conditioner, focusing on the tips and middle for the heaviest application, and give yourself a nice little head massage as you reach your scalp. It's important to build some relaxation and luxury into your morning routine, and this is such a simple way to indulge in a little self care. I usually shave while I let the conditioner sit for 3-5 minutes, then rinse.
Dry your hair with the Aquis Luxe towel by squeezing and patting it (never rub!), and wrap it up for 3-5 minutes so the towel can really absorb a lot of that moisture. Finally, take a small amount of the moroccan oil and distribute it through your hair, starting at the tips and just lighting applying it at the roots. Let your hair air-dry before using a wide toothed comb to brush out any remaining tangles.
Voila! You now have clean, refreshed hair that has been well moisturized and a scalp that has been stimulated and massaged. Wasn't that 20 minutes well worth it?
I maintain my style on days 4,5, and 6 with this dry shampoo. As always, let me know if you have any questions, or if you try this! I love to hear what you guys think :)
